Without JM Calma powering San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball tournament, the remaining Golden Stags are tasked to step up in his absence.
For Ichie Altamirano, many players are already rising to the occasion as they defeated Arellano University 60-51, marking a successful season debut.
“Bakaw kasi ‘yun eh, de joke lang,” the 25-year-old Altamirano quipped about their former captain. “Siyempre, last year niya rin ‘yun talagang gusto niya lang magpakita. Pero, di naman ganon, so talagang marami lang nag step-up ngayon sa amin, sa team namin. Kahit mga rookies sila, nakikita niyo naman grabe dumepensa, [at] grabe umopensa.
“So ayun di naman kawalan ‘yung [puwesto] ni JM. May pumapalit naman sa kanya ngayon at mas marami,” he continued.
Of course, Altamirano is proud of what the 6-foot-6 Cabalen has achieved so far in his professional career, as he was drafted in the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft to be part of NorthPort Batang Pier.
Calma played his last year with San Sebastian in Season 97, averaging 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks. He was also part of the Mythical Five that season.
The Golden Stags started to experience life without Calms during their participation in the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup and the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
They reached the last eight of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where they exited following a 64-75 loss to National University.
In the D-League, San Sebastian went one better by reaching the final four but they eventually folded to finalist Marinerong Pilipino.
All of these experiences in the off-season have made the likes of Altamirano, Ken Villapando, Jessie Sumoda, Cris Shanoda, and James Una more equipped to earn a Final Four ticket amidst Calma’s big loss.
“Wala naman kasi nasanay na kami nung preseason na lumalaban sa mataas na leagues, so isa na dun ‘yung [PBA] D-League – dun talaga kami nagka-pride sa sarili namin, parang ‘yun nga nagka-kumpyansa kami lalo na sa depensa namin.”
